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I've had better blogging days. I'm falling behind for one reason and it's baby number three. I feel great- MUCH better than when I was pregnant with Johnny. But, now that we are heading towards the end, ANY free time I have I'm either nesting or lying down. Which, put my blogging on the back burner. Every night I intend to do it, and every night I'm too tired. So, now that we have our new phones, cable, wireless, ect., it should be easier!

BLOCK PARTY: Last Sunday we had our annual neighborhood block party for our culd-a-sac. It was a blast with the slip-n'-slide being the high light for Curtis (below) and Johnny(above). We LOVE our neighborhood and couldn't ask for better people to live by! Great time had by all!
THE MOVE: See these two lovely people below? This is my sister Megan and her husband Kyle. They lived in our house the past year and a half to take care of it for us. When we found out the good news that we were going to stay in the States, that suddenly made them "homeless." So, the house hunting ramped up, and they bought a GREAT house 1.5 miles away from me! Can you believe that? I was on cloud nine when they told us! (OK, I won't lie, I STILL AM SO EXCITED!) But, to add to that news, Megan is also expecting her 1st baby in March! The first trimester is over, and now the fun can begin for them! We are SO excited to be near them!
Curtis on the other hand, is sad to see Megan and all her "princess dresses" make the move across town. I found him in Megan's room a few weeks ago with her tube top and bra on! No WONDER they wanted to get the "heck" outta here!
THE PLUNGE: It's official....I did it. I went from a "Cool Mom" (At least that's what I thought of myself) to one of "those" moms. I bought a mini-van. Yes, the nesting stage has begun. Erik and I have been looking at cars, on-line and in the paper. This week, I started to get nervous. I'm 32 weeks pregnant, and with Johnny I went on bed rest at 33 weeks. So, I got the itch to get the job done. I needed a car that would hold all three of my kids, and their car seats. Our neighbors next door got a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and love it. I really liked it too. (For a minivan.) So, I copied them, and on Friday while Erik was at work, I found myself at the dealer, sealing the deal! Now, when I take Curtis to soccer with a coffee in my hand, and a lawn chair around my shoulder, driving my mini van, I will fit in!

JOHNNY'S BIRTHDAY: On September 3rd, Johnny will be three. We celebrated this weekend while my parents were in New Prague helping Megan and Kyle get settled. It's hard to believe that the kid who cried "ALL DAY LONG" and was the "CRABBIEST BABY EVER", is a sweet, loving three year old, who enjoys animals, our yard, fishing, and snuggling! Happy Golden Birthday Johnny!


Curtis told me when he went to bed that "Today was his LUCKY day." It's his lucky day, because when you are 4, there is nothing harder than watching your brother get lots of presents. My cousin Chad, (Curtis's Godfather) came through BIG TIME. He sent a present for Curtis with a Notre Dame Football and Football Shirt. Curtis wore it ALL day in 90 degree weather. The ball slept on his dresser in his room so no "robbers" stole it. Thanks Chad...it was the perfect gift!
There you have it- our two week wrap up. School starts this week, and I never could understand when my mom use to say she was READY for it to start. Well, folks, I'm READY and so are the boys! Happy Labor Day everyone!

The Next David Beckham?

Curtis's first official soccer game was tonight. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

(Got his athletic ability from his FATHER!) Curtis is in the yellow shorts. (Because my neighbor told him yellow and purple were the coolest!)

This is where I was dying-DYING I tell you. Curtis was wearing his shirt over his face walking around the field, as the game was going on. Keep in mind that there are only 5 players on the field.

Week in Review

I'm not sure I like living in Minnesota again. Let me explain why-My neighbors have been BRAINWASHING my kids, and telling them that the Packers stink, and the Vikings are the best. Whenever I try to put Curtis in a Packers shirt or green mesh shorts, he says, "Mom, I can't wear these, Jeff won't like it." or "Jeff's going to call me a baby!" If that's not enough, the boys are now telling me that the "Packers Stink" and saying "Vikings are Best!"

So, tonight Curtis started soccer. He was SO excited when the coaches handed him a purple uniform, and socks. In the team huddle, they were deciding what to name their team. Curtis raised his hand and said, "How about Purple Pride, because my neighbor Jeff LOVES the Vikings, and hates the Packers." (Of course, the night they get purple uniform's, Curtis happens to be wearing his YELLOW shorts!)

Then, after we pull the car in the driveway, Curtis jumps out, and runs across the yard to Jeff's house, and starts yelling, "Hey Jeff, I have PURPLE PRIDE!"

For The Record...I'm open to suggestions on how to prevent my two young children from becoming a Vikings Fan!

On Thursday night, the boys and I headed up to the Target Center in Minneapolis to see the "Wiggles Live." After making fun of MANY of my friends when their kids watched the Wiggles- I got payback and had to sit through two hours of Wiggle fun! The boys loved it!
On Friday we went to the Minnesota Zoo with my friend Shalyn and Nick and their girls. Was a GREAT day. Here are pictures of my two chickens!

On Saturday, Erik flew home and the boys were SO excited to see him!

The boys are taking swimming lessons at the local pool. They are in the same class. So, it's been nice- I get a tea, and sit and read for 45 minutes! I should have done this EVERY session this summer!

Journey's End

It's official- we are all U.S. citizens again! Erik arrived back in the States around noon on Saturday! The boys had signs (I Love U Daddy!) and American flags to wave at the airport. I of course was ready with my camera. As we got off the elevator and were walking towards the gate to get him, he was already out and walking towards us. The boys went CRAZY and kept saying, "Daddy, are you home for GOOD now?" In all the commotion of his early arrival, I didn't capture any pictures. But, it will always be a moment that I will remember vividly!

As for the move, it went very smoothly. Erik had a lot to organize, but it couldn't have gone off better. The movers came last Monday and Tuesday, and packed up the apartment. (It is being shipped back on a boat.) On Thursday, the apartment was cleaned, and by Friday morning Erik had checked out with the landlord. Friday night, Erik stayed with my good friend Lynne and her husband Alan. Erik and Alan went out for a few drinks Friday night on the beach one last time. Saturday morning Alan drove Erik to the airport, and everything was running 45 minutes early. The move could not have gone smoother, especially with 6 weeks to pull it off! Now we have 2 1/2 months to get settled and organized before baby #3 arrives! I can't tell you how good it feels to have everyone HOME!

Neighborhood Night Out

Curtis in front of the "bouncy castle" that they rented!
Johnny going down the slide!
This was the neighborhood parade- decorate a bike or wagon!
Curtis thought he was SO cool- riding in the parade with NO TRAINING WHEELS!
Here he is accepting his 3rd place prize in the parade!

August 5th is National Neighborhood Night Out- sponsored by Target. This year, some very organized neighbors put together a block party for the whole subdivision! We had a GREAT time and got to meet a lot of neighbors that we pass, but never really have talked to!

Minnesota FUN!

This weekend we got together with Erik's sister Cari. We went up to Minneapolis to see her new house, have lunch, and then go to the water park down the block! The boys loved EVERY minute of it! On Sunday, our neighbor gave the kids a ride on his four wheeler when he returned from the cabin. The boys were loving every minute of it! I have a feeling in only about 14 more years, Johnny will be hunting, fishing, and hanging with our neighbor ALL the time!

I'm a Big Kid Now!

Tonight was a BIG night in Curtis's life- he learned to ride a bike with NO TRAINING WHEELS! Curtis picked up his bike, and said he was going to ride it. Uncle Kyle went down by him to give him a "lesson." Curtis has NEVER been interested in riding without training wheels. In fact, he's told me a few times that he'll try it when he turns five. But, Kyle got him started, and he picked it up pretty quickly! Here's a video from one of his first tries, and one of his last tries tonight. Curtis just keeps saying that he is "SO PROUD OF HIMSELF!" It's only appropriate that he learned to do this 8 days before Erik gets home. Since this is the kid that learned to sit up, crawl, and walk when he was visiting my parents house- with NO Erik in sight!